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Muslim convert arrested in terror raids

One of six people arrested in a massive terror operation in London is believed to be Muslim convert Richard Dart.

The son of teachers from Weymouth in Dorset, he converted to Islam in 2009 and has been a prominent critic of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Dart, who changed his name to Salahuddin al-Britani after converting, is said to be one of three people detained in Ealing, west London, yesterday morning. He was arrested in the street. Dart appeared in a BBC Three documentary, My Brother The Islamist, made by his stepbrother Robb Leech last year, which told how Dart, originally from Weymouth, had been converted by controversial cleric Anjem Choudary. In the documentary he spoke of his support for jihad and sharia law.

Six people, including three living just over a mile from the Olympic site and a former police community support officer, were arrested yesterday over a suspected terror plot. Police said five men and a woman were arrested on suspicion of the commission, preparation or instigation of acts of terrorism. They were taken to a police station in South East London.

Eight residential premises across London and one business premise were searched during the raid.

A police tent and a damaged door are visible in the front garden Credit: ITV News

The arrests were part of a pre-planned intelligence-led operation by the Metropolitan Police counter-terror command along with armed officers.

Police have said the plot was not linked to the Olympics or the Paralympics.